This morning after class I had a student ask me how to clean her yoga mat.

It is a fairly common question I get often.  After a while, a yoga mats get pretty smelly; and make your child’s pose less enjoyable.

I clean my studios used yoga mats after every use just because of the sanitation of the next person using it.
I high suggest getting your own mat because not all studios clean their mats as often as I do.

My suggestion for cleaning your mat is that you first read the manufactures directions for cleaning.

If you lost the instructions or aren’t sure who made the mat here is what I suggest using.

If your mat is lightly soiled; Make a solution of two cups of water and 2-4 drops of organic dish soap and use a spray bottle, damp sponge or cloth to apply and rub the soiled areas.  Wipe the mat with fresh water and rub dry with a cloth.  I like to let my mat air dry to really get clean.


In your mat is very soiled; submerge your mat in warm water and a little bit of mild detergent.  Use as little soap as you can because if you use too much it can cause your mat to become slippery.  Hand wash your mat and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water.  Squeeze out the excess water.  Hang your mat over a chair and let air dry.
 
Regular use of your yoga mat can make it quite dirty.  The oils, sweat, and dirt can affect your practice and distract you.  A mat is like your home, you have to take care of it and clean it so it won’t make you sick.

I wash and clean my mat frequently because of my constant use.  Be conscious when your mat is dirty and give it a good wipe down to prevent something bad from happening.

If you have any more basic yoga questions I am open to listening to them and trying to answer them. Or if you use a different method to clean your mat, please share them in the comments, new and innovative ways are always welcome.

Namaste.

Anita Myers

Happy Earth Day!  Today is the day to honor and show love to our wonderful planet and all it provides for us.  There are Earth Day celebrations all over the world, participating and contributing your part can make all the difference.  Today I ask you, if you are not already, take little steps to make the world a better place by recycling, turning off the lights, taking shorter showers, and using more renewable energy.



In my home and in everything I do, I always look for ways to live peacefully and positively.  Living a life of positivity and consciousness makes every day more enjoyable.  In my daily life and my partners, and through yoga practices we try finding ways to minimize the impact on the environment.

There are small changes and things that can make a huge difference if everyone is mindful about it.
Every year on earth day my partner and I make a new commitment to do our part in keeping our planet healthy.  It is like our new year’s resolution to the earth.  We have made countless changes in our life and encourage those around us to take part as well.



For this year’s Earth Day my partner, my students and I have made a commitment to try and find ways to be green and celebrate Earth Day every day!  Specifically through yoga and yoga classes.

Here are some things my students, my partner, and I plan to do to help our environment for our Earth Day resolution.

• Find yoga products and clothing that are produced without using toxic chemicals, or pesticides.
• Use reusable water bottles and avoid purchasing plastic containers.
• Walk, bike, or carpool as often as possible.
• Clean using nontoxic chemicals and try making your own cleaning supplies to save the environment and your money.
• Reuse or re-gift your old yoga mat.  Many studios accept old mats to have on hand for students that forget theirs or those that do not have the means to purchase one.
• Try using the online schedule for yoga classes instead of printing one out to save paper.
• Work to be earth conscious during daily activities.  It is easy to become distracted and forget how small things can harm the earth.


In honor of Earth Day, let’s do all we can to minimize negative impacts on our environment and the health of the planet.  Show your love to our beautiful planet, make your Earth Day resolution!
Namaste.